A suspected gas leak has triggered a catastrophic explosion at a nursing home in the United States, resulting in two confirmed fatalities and an urgent rescue operation for an unspecified number of missing individuals.
Scene of Devastation in Bristol Township
The blast occurred at the Bristol Health & Rehab Centre, a 174-bed facility in Bristol Township, Pennsylvania, located roughly 20 miles northeast of Philadelphia. The incident happened shortly after 2pm local time on Tuesday, 24th December 2025.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro confirmed the two deaths during a news conference, describing the event as a "sad and tragic evening" in Bucks County. He stated that "some number of individuals" remain unaccounted for as emergency services continue their efforts.
Rescue Teams Battle Collapsed Structure
Images from the scene reveal extensive damage, with parts of the building's front section completely collapsed and most windows shattered. Bristol Township fire chief Kevin Dippolito reported that sections of the first floor had fallen into the basement.
"We are still in rescue mode," Chief Dippolito emphasised, clarifying that operations have not yet transitioned to recovery. He noted that while many people were evacuated by emergency crews, specialised equipment is now being used to sift through the debris for those still missing.
Local resident Willie Tye described hearing a "loud kaboom" before seeing "fire everywhere" and residents fleeing the building.
Emergency Declaration and Ongoing Investigation
In response to the disaster, Bristol Township manager Randee J Mazur declared a local disaster emergency, citing "significant structural collapse" and the risk of further failure. This declaration is set to remain active for seven days.
An investigation into the precise cause is ongoing, but initial reports indicate the explosion coincided with utility company PECO responding to calls about a gas odour in the area. The home's owner, Saber Healthcare Group, has stated it is cooperating fully with emergency services.
